The Jersey Journal
Editorial
Tuesday,March 17, 2009

Pols seem ready to hear your pitch
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
T here is a Hudson County politician who has business cards that say "Call me anytime, not just election time." Jersey City seems to be practicing the corollary of this by trying to get an administration's full-term of business done at election time.

As pointed out in The Jersey Journal column "Morgan's Corner" by Earl Morgan, last week's City Council meeting had on its agenda many resolutions involving local projects, almost everything of importance to a good many city residents. Even funding requests for the "kitchen sink" may have been on the agenda.

As Morgan points out, these projects that have languished for months, even years, are getting, if not a green light then at least an amber one.

At the Wednesday City Council session, the panel approved several applications for funding from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund, including a $500,000 request for the long awaited Ercell Webb/Lafayette Park swimming pool. There was also a request to finance a study of the old Harmon Street swimming pool on Communipaw Avenue. City officials said the Harmon Street site, unused for about 25 years, could be renovated or converted to a wading pool.

After more than four years of contentious squabbling between City Hall and the Friends of the Loew's, the nonprofit group that's been working to restore the Loew's Jersey Theater, there was approval for a funding request for the landmark movie palace.

Other funding inquiries were made for park and recreation improvements at Liberty State Park; renovating and rebuilding handball courts at Camp Liberty; synthetic turf and lighting at Caven Point's soccer field; and a park in the Hilltop neighborhood.

If there is a project - perhaps a pocket park, landmark renovation, basketball courts - that requires funding, organized residents may still have a chance at recognition by the administration. While a funding request, at a time when local governments are losing state aid, seems a difficult prospect, there is no harm in asking.

Understand that there is a very small window of opportunity to get the city administration to act on your cause. The May 12 municipal election is fast approaching.


The Jersey Journal
Editorial
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
www.nj.com/hudsoncountynow